Daniel del Castillo González
Nearing the end of his summer vacation, Pope Leo XIV continues to draw thousands of pilgrims to pray the Angelus.
This Sunday, the Pope cautioned that a culture of consumerism fuels endless desires that are never satisfied, making it harder to recognize what truly matters.
Over the past several weeks, violence has continued in Gaza and the West Bank. Civilians are still being killed and military tensions and confrontations are intensifying in different areas, including holy sites.
POPE LEO XIV
I likewise renew my plea regarding the situation throughout the Middle East, where the intensification of military operations has again wreaked violence and destruction, endangering the lives of countless civilians and further aggravating the shortages of drinking water and electricity. From the depths of my heart, I exhort all parties involved to suspend the attacks and urgently reopen paths of dialogue and diplomacy, so that the longed-for peace for the entire region may be achieved without delay.
The Pope's appeal comes amid the ongoing emergency caused by the wildfires ravaging Europe. France is experiencing its worst forest fire crisis in recent years, with more than 220,000 people evacuated.
In Spain, wildfires have forced the evacuation of more than 90,000 residents in what is now the largest wildfire in the country's history.
POPE LEO XIV
As devastating wildfires affect the various regions of France and Spain, I express my closeness to all those who have been affected and invite everyone to pray for them and for the emergency personnel engaged in relief efforts.
Before imparting his final blessing, the pope mentioned the sixth International Grandparents' Day, celebrated on the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, Jesus' grandparents.
Pope Leo called for more care and companionship of the elderly, calling to mind what they have to offer.
